Need Help for Disabled Computer User

[Anthony_Hickory]

My father has lost any use of his extremities due to a spinal motor neuron disease. I have been trying (without any luck so far) to find a system for him to continue the use of his computer. Does anyone know of a system designed for people in similar situations like ALS for example ?

[Liz321]

Not sure where you live but you should contact your state's Tech Act Program for local evaluators.

You cannot buy a system at a store as your dad will need a special mounting, switches etc.

RESNA has some good info too.

[Politiko]

I was actually just doing some research on computer equipment and found SmartNav (http://www.naturalpoint.com/smartnav/products/4-at/). Pretty cool concept and theyve got demo centers setup in nearly every state, And this site has tons of links as well: http://www.makoa.org/computers.htm

[SCI-Nurse]

You can get good information about this from a good speech pathologist as well. Voice recognition can be helpful if his voice does not fatigue, but is problematic if he does, as variations in his voice quality during the day can confuse the system. Palate control is possible for some if he has decent tongue control, but these systems are hard to find and expensive.

Here is a pretty good discussion of some other resources:

http://www.joesalsadvocacy.com/pages/speech.htm

(KLD)

[slaton1964]

I AM QUAD I USE THIS TO OPER> COMP" IT WORKS LIKE A MOUSE AN ON SCREEN KEYBOARD. HOPE THIS HELPS.
EnableMart Operations/ Customer Service Representative
4210 E 4th Plain Blvd
Vancouver, WA 98661
P1: 1-888-640-1999
P2: 1-360-695-4155
F: 1-360

[Adam]

I am a quadriplegic and I use the following system which is just great. You control it like a joystick by mouth and puff on it to emulate a left click and sip on it to emulate a right button click. You can even puff and hold to drag. This combined with a voice recognition system like dragon Dictateor use the speech tool on Office Word 2003. To enable it go into word and under tools highlight and double click the speech. Good luck.
http://www.jouse.com/

[Adam]

Description:
The Jouse was developed as an alternative to a standard computer mouse for people with limited or no functional hand control. The Jouse provides complete mouse emulation, including button control via a sip and puff pneumatic sensor. A novel "bite-switch" built into the Jouse mouthpiece allows the user to direct sip and puff actions to control either mouse buttons or enter text into a computer application using Morse code. In Morse mode, the sip and puffs correspond to dots and dashes that are converted to text using a software program such as EZMorse.

Also most people don't know that Microsoft has an on-screen keyboard with windows applications. Just go into or activate by going into programs via your start button then go into accessories then accessibility.

Good luck!

If you need more information you can contact me at foremostauthority@yahoo.ca

[Adam]

while in hospital I saw on a PBS television program "Wired" about portable robotic arms. I have attempted to contact the producers of the show but to no avail. Did anyone else see the show and would you know the name of the University that they are doing this work and research. I would like to adapt a robotic arm to my wheelchair that could be possibly controlled via a joystick type of control. Thank you.

[bob clark]

My father has lost any use of his extremities due to a spinal motor neuron disease. I have been trying (without any luck so far) to find a system for him to continue the use of his computer. Does anyone know of a system designed for people in similar situations like ALS for example ?

Hi Anthony,

Call up your local (they are all State run... probably listed in the Blue Pages of your phonebook) "Vocational Rehabilitation Services" and tell them what you need for your father. Just remember to emphasize that your goal is to get your father back in the work force doing something... anything. Selling crap on e-Bay! They will have him evaluated and should/may pay for any type of computer system or hardware/software that he needs. And they can have someone work with him on the computer until he learns how to operate it successfully. And work with him if or as his condition deteriorates. Let's hope that it doesn't.

Even send someone out to your house to perhaps set it up and teach your father there so he can easily use the phone, open or unlock doors and curtains, etc. Anything that will help him become more independent so he can/may re-enter the work force. He doesn't need to go into the work force after working with the VRS but that's your and your father's decision to make after you know what they have to offer him.

They should be up-to-date on most/all computer assisting software and hardware.

He paid into the system, now is the time for him to benefit from it.

Sorry to hear that your father needs this type of help. You're a good son.

Bob.

[Katja]

Hi Anthony,

Call up your local (they are all State run... probably listed in the Blue Pages of your phonebook) "Vocational Rehabilitation Services" and tell them what you need for your father.

I'm going to guess that the OP is not in the US ("motor neurone disease" is the term more commonly used in the UK for what is called ALS in the US).

[bob clark]

I'm going to guess that the OP is not in the US ("motor neurone disease" is the term more commonly used in the UK for what is called ALS in the US).

Hi Katja,

Oh yeah, I see that now. I wish they'd make some of the "Profile" questions mandatory here. It would make it so much eaisier from the get-go to answer questions. Oh well.

Maybe the national health service (if one exists in the OP's country) can help in this regard. Or direct Anthony to an agency like that of the US' VRS.

Bob.

[orangejello]

The jouse system has already been mentioned. I would second this suggestion. I use it in combination with either an on-screen keyboard or voice recognition software. It works great and allows very easy control.

Another option you might want to look at is a system that allows the computer to be controlled by eye movements. I also use this and while the learning curve can be steep at first, it also works very well. There are a number of different options and configurations available according to the needs of the user. The one drawback is it is very expensive if you do not have any kind funding available. I am not sure where you are located. Here is an American site with more information: http://www.eyegaze.com/ and a European one
http://www.interactive-minds.de/en/eye_tracker/eyefollower_general.htm


Depending on how much head control your father has another option is a head mouse such as this http://www.pacmedhawaii.com/specialty/hmaster.htm

I haven't used this so I can't say how good it works. But I have a friend with a high cervical injury similar to mine who uses one and finds it meets his needs very well.

I hope you can find something that will work for your father. If I can answer any further questions about the jouse or eye tracking please feel free to ask in the thread or send me a private message.